Pasta e Fagioli literally means pasta with beans, so in that sense that's exactly what this is. If you came here looking for the Olive Garden soup, you've come to the wrong website. This is pretty amazing, though. I took all the basic ingredients of standard Italian pasta e fagioli and swapped them with things I had on hand. Doing this, I was able to make eight servings for less than two dollars. Even having to buy some of the things I already had on hand, minus the spices, you'd spend less than four dollars. Did I mention this is a great recipe?
INGREDIENTS:
4 Tbsp. butter
1 small red onion, diced
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/8 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1 can (5 oz.) great northern beans, flavored with sausage
1 pkg (12 oz.) extra wide egg noodles
1 pkg (0.87 oz.) brown gravy mix
8 cups water
Red pepper flakes, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Melt butter in a large skillet. Cook onion, garlic, and herbs until onion is translucent. Add in beans (juice and all) and mix well. Pour in pasta and water, then sprinkle over red pepper flakes and gravy mix, stirring gently until combined. Taste the sauce. If it's too salty add a little bit of sugar to balance it out, but not so much that you can taste the sweetness. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until noodles are cooked, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
That's it. Less than half an hour from beginning to end and less than four dollars out of your budget. You'll notice I took out the tomato base because tomatoes give me wicked heartburn. Next time I may add sliced sausage or diced carrots just for a little more texture. All in all, though, it's one of my favorite things I've made in a while. Now, go forth and eat. :-)
Personal Choices, Public Prejudice
I travel between five courthouses for my day job. I'm on pretty good terms with most everyone I interact with there, and a few of them have known me since I was a small child. I have a lot of respect for these people, and I flatter myself that they value me for who I am as a person. About a year ago I was wearing bright blue extensions in my hair.One of these ladies that has known me my whole life assumed they were real. After a brief exchange, she asked me "Why would you want to do that to yourself?" Her tone said much more than just her words tell here. It spoke of prejudice, judgement, and even a hint of revulsion.
Last weekend my husband and I were at the bar. There we ran into some friends and their respective lady-friends. One of these ladies had a really unique piercing and was explaining how they did it. The friend that was not with her made a really big deal about it, asking repeated variations on the "but why would you want to do that to yourself" theme.
Yesterday a co-worker upset another co-worker over her jewelry. Co-worker #1 is very religious. Co-worker #2 considers herself the same, but just happens to adore girly skull things. Yesterday she wore a beautiful necklace and earring set with rhinestone skulls and roses. Co-worker #1 acted offended and kept on and on about "why would you want to wear things like that?"
Let me share with you what I told that lady a year ago. "Because I think it's cool, and I figure anyone who judges me based on my appearance and not on who I am as a person isn't worth worrying about." It is a phrase that is beautiful and perfect in its pointed indirectness. I'm not accusing you of such things, but maybe you should really think about that thing you just said, m'kay? I love it, and it was EXTREMELY effective.
So, if you've made it this far, this is my friendly little public service announcement. When it comes to other people, all you need to be concerned with in this life is what is on the inside. Not about their hair or clothes or sexual orientation or religious convictions. The color of my hair does not hurt anyone, least of all me. So what does it matter if I "do that to myself?" Same for piercings, tattoos, and even sex. It's my body, it's my soul, it's my choice, not yours. If it isn't hurting me, if it isn't involving you, why should you be concerned?
NO ONE owes you an explanation about their lifestyle choices. NO ONE.
Last weekend my husband and I were at the bar. There we ran into some friends and their respective lady-friends. One of these ladies had a really unique piercing and was explaining how they did it. The friend that was not with her made a really big deal about it, asking repeated variations on the "but why would you want to do that to yourself" theme.
Yesterday a co-worker upset another co-worker over her jewelry. Co-worker #1 is very religious. Co-worker #2 considers herself the same, but just happens to adore girly skull things. Yesterday she wore a beautiful necklace and earring set with rhinestone skulls and roses. Co-worker #1 acted offended and kept on and on about "why would you want to wear things like that?"
Let me share with you what I told that lady a year ago. "Because I think it's cool, and I figure anyone who judges me based on my appearance and not on who I am as a person isn't worth worrying about." It is a phrase that is beautiful and perfect in its pointed indirectness. I'm not accusing you of such things, but maybe you should really think about that thing you just said, m'kay? I love it, and it was EXTREMELY effective.
So, if you've made it this far, this is my friendly little public service announcement. When it comes to other people, all you need to be concerned with in this life is what is on the inside. Not about their hair or clothes or sexual orientation or religious convictions. The color of my hair does not hurt anyone, least of all me. So what does it matter if I "do that to myself?" Same for piercings, tattoos, and even sex. It's my body, it's my soul, it's my choice, not yours. If it isn't hurting me, if it isn't involving you, why should you be concerned?
NO ONE owes you an explanation about their lifestyle choices. NO ONE.
Agave Kumquat Chicken
This is my "healthier" take on Honey Orange Chicken. And by "healthier" I mean I made it in a pressure cooker instead of deep frying it. Still, I think it tastes pretty good.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Cut kumquats on the diagonal. Roughly chop tarragon. Place both in base of a pressure cooker. Dice the chicken into bite-sized chunks, then place over kumquats. Pour in stock and water. Drizzle agave over chicken, then splash with enough hot sauce to thinly coat. Season with salt and pepper. Pressure cook according to your manufacturer's directions.
Drain juices into a pot and bring to a boil for ten minutes, or until it begins to reduce in volume. Create a paste with cornstarch and a little bit of juice, then whisk into pot. Bring back to a low boil, then simmer for several minutes until thickened slightly. Allow to cool just a bit until it thickens some more, then pour over chicken and kumquats. Sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds. Serve with steamed brown rice and a little bit of fish sauce.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces kumquats
- 1/4 fresh tarragon
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock, low sodium
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 ounce light agave nectar
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Louisiana hot sauce
- sea salt
- black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- toasted sesame seeds, optional
Directions:
Cut kumquats on the diagonal. Roughly chop tarragon. Place both in base of a pressure cooker. Dice the chicken into bite-sized chunks, then place over kumquats. Pour in stock and water. Drizzle agave over chicken, then splash with enough hot sauce to thinly coat. Season with salt and pepper. Pressure cook according to your manufacturer's directions.
Drain juices into a pot and bring to a boil for ten minutes, or until it begins to reduce in volume. Create a paste with cornstarch and a little bit of juice, then whisk into pot. Bring back to a low boil, then simmer for several minutes until thickened slightly. Allow to cool just a bit until it thickens some more, then pour over chicken and kumquats. Sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds. Serve with steamed brown rice and a little bit of fish sauce.
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